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Page 169
Chapter Nine
The embroidery frame was just in place, and Alinor had barely picked up her needle, when Beorn arrived in the hall. To Alinor's surprise, he had not come alone. Leaning for support on his arm was a stocky, limping young man clad in rough and ragged garments. Alinor watched their slow progress down the hall with mild interest. She had had an initial qualm of fear when she saw the stranger's battered appearance that he was one of Ian's men who brought bad news. It was over almost as soon as it seized her. Beorn would not be matching the stranger's slow pace if there was bad news of Ian. He would have come ahead at full speed with that information, even if his companion was the eyewitness.
As the men advanced, Alinor realized that, despite his clothes, Beorn's companion was no commoner. She was not much surprised, therefore, when Beorn introduced the young man as Sir Guy of Hedingham.
"He is paroled to you, lady, by Lord Ian. He was the leader of the reavers."
"Has Lord Ian suffered any hurt?" Alinor asked calmly.
"No, lady."
"Excellent." Alinor turned her eyes to Sir Guy. "You seem to have suffered some damage, Sir Guy. Sit down and tell me why my lord sent you to me."
"I do not know, madam," the young man replied bitterly. "I begged his lordship to let me stay and suffer the same fate as my men. I led them. I chose the targets. I held them together when they would have taken a little and fled away. If anything, I am more guilty than they."

 
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